TopCat Mulcher - WATCH THIS BEFORE YOU BUY... Mulching Quality Should You Buy a Different Mulcher?

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Top Cat Mulchers

Top Cat Mulchers

2 жыл бұрын

Looking at the mulcher teeth configuration, how the size of teeth and gab between them impact how cleanly (or not) it mulches. If you are going to spend $20k, should you buy something else??
topcatmulchers.com/links--spe...
john@topcatmulchers.com
www.topcatmulchers.com

Пікірлер: 61
@duanemcdaniel1003
@duanemcdaniel1003 10 ай бұрын
Run your skid steer at full throttle, run the mulcher as close as you can to the ground just keep the head out of the ground. There is a learning curve to running a mulcher.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 10 ай бұрын
Duane, THAT is great advice. I did come to understand I was running my skid steer throttle just under half and when I started running at 3/4 the mulching results improved. So that is great advice. I probably should crank it up some more. Wish someone had suggested that to me earlier. Hopefully other newbie's will see your post and learn from that. So, yes it is a learning curve.
@brianh3000
@brianh3000 2 жыл бұрын
This was a super helpful video! Thanks for making it. ;-)
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 2 жыл бұрын
You are welcome Brian. If you are an owner of a TopCat mulcher and want to be updated when I find parts, solutions, etc, just subscribe or drop me an email at john@topcatmulchers.com. FYI... I am NOT a business looking for people to sell to, so not going to be spamming you with emails. Have a great weekend.
@gillpecceuservices
@gillpecceuservices Жыл бұрын
I love my Fecon FMX 36 excavator mounted mulcher. I have a video showing tooth maintenance and change out. It shows different and better tooth design. Thank you for this video showing people how this model mulcher is. Aloha.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Gill, yes there is a reason Fecon is the most common mulcher I see used by professionals in our area. They are solid mulchers that do a clean mulching job. My recommendation, is anyone needing to do a lot of mulching would be better served by purchasing a unit like Fecon, despite the 4x cost. Life span, resell value, etc would make the Fecon and better long term value.
@jeffmayeux1692
@jeffmayeux1692 Жыл бұрын
Looking forward to the follow up video with the new teeth.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Jeff, thank you for the encouragement. I am hoping to have that video up soon. Got side tracked by a serious accident while working on my pond, set me back a couple of months. Video and details coming soon.
@victorwathavu
@victorwathavu Жыл бұрын
Just showed your video to my wife, she made a great point. Get the manufacturer to supply you a new rotor with properly aligned tooth holders. Don't attempt to cut and weld yourself, you'll have a severe balance problem. Based on what I have seen from this manufacturer/importer they may want to try and tell you it's a DIY project. If they argue, tell em it's like eating corn on the cob with every second tooth missing.😬
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Euro, tell your wife Thank You, that is not a bad idea to see if a replacement drum could be available. That would change everything.
@w.tranbarger1727
@w.tranbarger1727 Жыл бұрын
Hey John, thanks for the videos. I’m interested in possibly buying a machine similar to yours so I appreciate your information. Just wanted to say I hired a man with a very large professional rig; large mulcher on a large skid steer machine, to clear underbrush similar to yours in VA. His machine had end plates that restricted how deep he could mulch, maybe to 4 or 5 inches. He produced the stubble you showed and discussed. I was concerned about that also since I’m reclaiming a field and would later bush hog it with my equipment. The stubble dies out and breaks up in one year to the point where I was not worried about driving over it with my tractor and getting a flat tire. In Texas you may be OK with the stubble as well. Additionally your technique and results are similar to the professional I hired. Keep up the good work.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Trangarger, Hey, Thank you for the really great feedback. I will take that advice and go take a look at the area from my video - now about 9 months old - and check out the stubble. I have recently finished testing the unit with the FAE teeth and the results are significantly better. Still some stubble, which seems to be normal, but much less and more fine mulching material. Sincerely appreciate you taking the time to post, that is the kind of feedback I was hoping to get by posting the video. Thanks again and take care...
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 10 ай бұрын
Thank you for the feedback, that is helpful to know. I have since learned that most of the stubble will die back. The bigger ones, if they yaupons, they grow right back. The forests in this part of texas are over taken by yaupons, very hard to get rid of.
@shawnfriend8223
@shawnfriend8223 9 ай бұрын
I just picked one of these up .. I wish I wouldn’t of bought it now after seeing your video.. Did you ever find where to get teeth for the machine?
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 9 ай бұрын
Shawn, well just like me you own one now.... ;). Yes, teeth are now available from AgroTK. here is the link. I have been pretty hard on my opinions of the TopCat, but you know, it gets the job done, and if you take your time, do not push it too hard it will perform well with just a few issues. If this is a DIY thing, that is your not planning on earning a living with it, you should find it does what you need. Here is the link for the teeth. Takes about 3 weeks to get them from china. agrotkindustrial.com/products/forestry-mulcher-teeth
@wadeprunty
@wadeprunty 10 ай бұрын
Can you change the teeth out for hammer blades? You could probably find some with a width that would close your gap. I know I've seen them on other mulches that have a similar bolt-on pattern to yours. You'd just have to make sure they clear the inner wall of the mulcher. You might even be able to find someone local who could fabricate them for you. By the way, we have one of these right down the road from me brand new (AGL Branded 81") for $5500!
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 9 ай бұрын
Wade, I don't know. Have not seen any they might fit, but yes you could have them fabricated. Also, looking at a way to just get new carbide tips brazed on when they chip or come off. That so far is just a thought and have not looked into it more.
@Floridamane305
@Floridamane305 8 ай бұрын
Still for sale
@mrgoodtimes05
@mrgoodtimes05 Жыл бұрын
The gap needs to have a row of teeth. Should be a row of teeth that covers every inch of across the drum. I believe a brush hog could do a better job of cutting the stumble
@stevebrooks6000
@stevebrooks6000 3 ай бұрын
Should be running higher ram's, put the mulcher all way down. You can bury teeth into dirt to eliminate all your stubble. Just a rookie, you will get better at it.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 3 ай бұрын
You are correct, as a newbie my skills with the mulcher are improving and so are the results. Getting much better results now that I find more opportunities to let it "float" then back drag. The FAE teeth retro fit has helped a lot as well..
@mrgoodtimes05
@mrgoodtimes05 Жыл бұрын
Your barely making dust, need to pulverize into the dirt more. Not going far enough down will leave the stumble your getting.
@hugoalmanza1646
@hugoalmanza1646 Ай бұрын
Would you get this over a 72 inch brush cutter? That’s where I’m at now? Thanks for the info
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Ай бұрын
I would, only if the area that needs clearing has a lot of larger 3"+ trees and brush. A brush cutter my not be durable enough to take down large trees. I have taken down 6" trees, top to bottom, down to the soil. That would be my thoughts on why a mulcher .vs. a brush cutter. Hope that helps.
@roberthowse2426
@roberthowse2426 Жыл бұрын
I have a Bobcat T650 and the Topcat 81 I'm not having any problems, the only complaint I have is the weight of the Topcat
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Robert, I appreciate the info as this is part of why I do this, is to help other Topcat owners. Yes, it is heavy. I seems to recall it weighs in around 2700lbs. I could be mistaken. So, how many hours would you say you have on your Topcat? Are you in an area that is mostly sandy or very rocky?
@zaappp1588
@zaappp1588 2 жыл бұрын
There's cost to owning a piece of equipment like that and that cost is new teeth. You can clean every bit of that by back dragging. That's what's it's meant to do. But obviously dragging it through the dirt means you will wear the teeth out. Back dragging is going to have the effect similar to a Harley Rake but trust me, the grass will grow back in no time at all and probably thicker.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 2 жыл бұрын
THANK YOU, for taking the time to comment. Your right, it is rather surprising how fast the areas fill back in. My main concern is 1) the teeth are failing after just 30 hrs (some to be expected), 2) when they fail, were do you find replacements, 3) the spacing on the teeth (they are not staggered around the drum like other mulchers, they are in a straight line, one behind the other) which leaves significant gabs and required more re-processing. To #2, it appears i may have a source. I will have more on that soon. I hope. Again, thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.
@hhazelhoff1363
@hhazelhoff1363 Жыл бұрын
Dr Nelson Horn is a good dentist, he can fix your teeth. Next time by a FAE mulcher. Or go for dentures.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
yeah, if it were that simple. But I do agree, there is a lot of upside to buying a name brand with support and parts. Yes, you pay more, but you also get better uptime, better performance, and when the day comes to get rid of it, you can still sell it a get a good amount of your money back. I have studied this, and see that you could have paid $40k for an FAE in 2016, and the resell value is still around $20k today on that used 2016 system. So, you really only paid $20k, which is only slightly more than you pay for a TopCat. Lesson learned.
@BrandonSWAT82
@BrandonSWAT82 2 жыл бұрын
Looks like Boleo Mulchers use the same teeth. Still trying to find where to purchase them though.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 2 жыл бұрын
Brandon, It also looks like the mulcher at TMG Industrial uses same teeth. I have ordered two and will confirm. It takes 8 weeks for them to get here. This is link to site. www.tmgindustrial.com/products/60-skid-steer-forestry-drum-mulcher. AND, we think we have found teeth from FAE and Diamond that can be retrofitted. More to follow soon.
@roblank8702
@roblank8702 4 ай бұрын
Have you had any issues with snapping the drive belt?
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 4 ай бұрын
Rob, yes, the belts are the number one part that I get inquires about. AGT once had a link on their site to order, but that link is gone. You have to make sure the idler pully is greased AND check to make sure the tensioning arm has not come loose causing the belt to track off. I have see the bolt come loose and cause the belt to ride up on the edges and wear the belt down. This appears to be a common timing belt. www.amazon.com/PowerDrive-1680-14M-40-Timing-Belt-Rubber/dp/B00ISCB5UG 66.41" circomfrance = 1680m 1.57" wide = 40m .39 = tooth depth = 10m .55" = 14M = pitch (teeth on center) Also, recommended = HTD1680-14M user said it was made by FENKE
@roblank8702
@roblank8702 4 ай бұрын
Wow thank you so much for this information!! I have not even been able to use this thing since I bought it! Never should have bought this pc of crap. I had a farm implement shop put the last belt on and make sure we were all greased and ready to use this mulcher. Belt snapped in 30 seconds. I'm gonna try one more time.
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 4 ай бұрын
Rob, I have a little over 100 +/- hours on my mulcher, still on the same belt. Though you are one of many that have had belt issues. I wish I knew what was causing it. Maybe just poor quality belts? Hope you are able to work it out. Good luck. By the way, I know my videos tend to focus on the negatives of this mulcher, but to be fair it is getting the job done for me.
@roblank8702
@roblank8702 4 ай бұрын
Sounds good thank you for the information and videos.
@tbarron442
@tbarron442 Ай бұрын
Will it run on standard flow?
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Ай бұрын
Yes, but... I tested mine on standard flow, which on my skid steer puts out around 23gpm +/-. At that gpm the max RPM of the drum was around 990. The specs state it operates at 2200+/-. While I was able to mulch light brush/saplings, anything about 3" or more shut it down. Had to take it really slow. If you have any significant mulching to do it would be painfully slow. The mulched product at the low RPM is also very chunky and long shreds. Some brush not fully mulched. hope this helps.
@tbarron442
@tbarron442 Ай бұрын
@@topcatmulchers3802 thank you
@KETO_DIET
@KETO_DIET Жыл бұрын
🤔I did some internet searching earlier this year and decided these are a po💩! 2022 TOP CAT SSFM81 just went for $10,000 us at RB Auction in my area. You've🏆 probably saved many people 10K by posting this video! I think it's best to use steel teeth unless very rocky. Looks like the best mulchers leave a courser sawdust. I would buy a used well known name brand mulcher that has very fair priced aftermarket teeth available. Steel teeth should have a design that is easy to take a grinder to for the sharpening. Paste the following video title in the KZfaq search;👉 Sharpening Teeth for the Fecon DCR and Working on the Terex
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
KD, You are spot on. Surprises me that these mulchers continue to sell at Auction for so much, a year ago I saw one go for 18k. wow. Thought the prices paid have been droppng. I agree with you, if you plan to spend that much buy a more well known and supported product. There is value in better mulching results and access to replacement parts. Yes name brands are likely 3x to 4x more, but use it for 2 years then sell it. Good condition name brand mulchers can get up to 50% original purchase. AND... you will be a much better mulching quality. Hope to have video up soon on the retrofit FAE teeth on my mulcher.
@KETO_DIET
@KETO_DIET Жыл бұрын
@@topcatmulchers3802 I definitely want to see your next video! I think they sell good at auction because some not so knowledgeable people think they are getting a NEW 30-40K mulcher for 10K OR 18k. My biggest concern would be long term reliability of the major components and strange that the teeth are spaced so far apart.
@MikeDPlxztc
@MikeDPlxztc 2 жыл бұрын
Holy cow I'm glad I found your videos that Mulcher is a piece of crap thanks for warning us
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 2 жыл бұрын
Mike, Thank you for feed back. I realize the info I posted tends to have a negative spin, but over all the mulcher is not as bad as I probably made it sound. Some of us are working on alternate teeth which is showing some promise of improving the need for excessive re-processing. We are expecting the alternate teeth options to help improve the quality of the mulch, and in one option provides a 50% better mulching width, thus less re-processing. I will be posting a comparison video as soon as I get better. I paid around $12k for the unit, which is reasonable and on the high end of what I would recommend. If you could pick this mulcher up for $10k or less (one recently went for around $6.9 in Denver auction), then it would be a good attachment to have. Though, as I may have mentioned in other videos it would not be the unit I would buy if I am planning to go into the mulching business. In that case I would lease a higher end unit and build the cost into my quoted jobs.
@MikeDPlxztc
@MikeDPlxztc 2 жыл бұрын
@@topcatmulchers3802 it's encouraging that you're trying to improve the machine but I don't think even using great white shark teeth would help this problem unless the alignment is fixed I don't know if they already manufactured a bunch of drums and it's not economical to change the design or what but I can definitely say that I would not buy it as is for any price
@jerometaft
@jerometaft 10 ай бұрын
I have ran fecon heads for 10 years and there in NO gap, there is know way that could do production work. Get with the manufacturer and get wider teeth or a different drum that is unacceptable
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 10 ай бұрын
Jerome, yes, I agree, there is no way this head would work for commercial/production work. It would take soo long. I did manage to retrofit some FAE teach which reduced the gap AND improved the mulching quality. So for personal DIY, it is getting the job done... slowly...
@downsouth4-doorcaddy242
@downsouth4-doorcaddy242 Жыл бұрын
The only problem Ive had is Ive had 3 of the hose crimps on the chinese hydro hoses let go fucking mess i tell ya
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Yep. I took mine off, took them to hilco (local hydraulic hose provider) and had them put new ends on them. How has the mulching quality been for you?
@terrysmall6337
@terrysmall6337 Жыл бұрын
Engine rpm is too low and you have the mulcher sitting too high
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Terry, I typically run the engine half max speed. You thinking that is too slow? Also, in my example cuts I was running just on the surface, though you can see at times the skids on the side were several inches into the dirt. The skids have to get several inches in before the teeth make contact. Not being fully familiar with other mulchers not certain if that is normal. What are your thoughts?
@JQuizzle
@JQuizzle Жыл бұрын
For about $4500 you can get this mulcher and the brush mower your going to need to get a clean cut... Commercial use? NEVER
@teamscoach
@teamscoach 4 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing this. I will not be purchasing a topcat
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 3 ай бұрын
Well, let me say that you possibly could do worse. Over all it is getting the job done, though slowly. As a DIY attachment is does a good enough job. Assuming you can get one for $5k or less. If you were trying to make a living with it, you would be better served to go with a name brand.
@donniejackson4411
@donniejackson4411 Жыл бұрын
Back drag and it will eat it all
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Donnie, oh yeah... I back drag a LOT. Teeth alignment leaves a lot of gaps. Not that it does not get the job done, just that it takes A LOT of re-processing, to include back drag, to get it cleaned up. Still looking for an economical source for replacement teeth. Working on new video of the FAE teeth that I have retro'd to fit.
@victorwathavu
@victorwathavu Жыл бұрын
Boy Mike, I feel so sorry for you. You have been mislead big time. The alignment of the tooth holders should be spaced so they overlap, resulting in an even spread across the whole drum. In your case you have hammers that line up like soldiers, meaning that the soldier standing directly behind the other is doing nothing, totally ludicrous. Top cat should be selling cotton candy. You mention spikes damaging car tyres, I'd be worried about your tracks. I import and sell Mulchers here in Australia, so I'm not here to try and cash in on your mistake, just offer my honest thoughts. There's a great video on KZfaq called Best Mulchers on the Planet, it's 30 min, do yourself a favour, it's a great learning curve for you. As far as replacement teeth go, they'll probably be Chinese as well, as I assume the TC brand comes from there. In fact , it won't make much of a difference to the performance, it will save wear on the tooth holders. If you speak to a colleague of mine in Canada called Helmut, www.ferntree.it he knows someone importing some high quality teeth out of China and selling the in the USA. I hope this helps you, and I admire you positive attitude. Feel free to ask me any questions anytime. Tom.?
@topcatmulchers3802
@topcatmulchers3802 Жыл бұрын
Euro.. Great feedback. Yes, that is the problem with this mulcher. I have be experimenting with other teeth brands, while they help a little there is no way to overcome the issue of the alignment. Thank you for the video recommendation and Helmut web site suggestion. I am hoping that by posting these videos I can help others understand things to look out for if they are shopping. Before I bought this at auction there was ZERO info on TopCat. I hope to change that.
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